When I lost my family, I left the land behind
And went alone to sea
I borrowed a boat without permission and I started to row
But the waves were wild and I thought I would die
When I came to, I was on a pirate ship
A pirate with a prosthetic arm said,
"Going out on a boat like that is suicide.
The sea can be rough.
If you like, we can take you back to shore."
"No! I don't ever want to go back
To that disagreeable place!
Won't you let me
Stay here and work for you?"

The pirate ship was equal to any wave
It didn't so much as sway
They put me in charge of the galley
How many people?
How much do I have to make
To fill everyone's stomachs?
The pirate with the prosthetic arm was the leader of the band
And was admired by everyone
Though they were pirates
They really seemed like nice people
And always treated me kindly

They came back soaked in blood
Carrying food with them
Though I thought we'd become friends
Crying,
I ran off to the pilothouse
I took the helm and sent the boat
Sailing straight for a cliff
The cold palm of the prosthetic arm
Slapped me across the cheek
"We have to make these sacrifices to go on living."
"But that's unfair!
It's picking on the weak!"
"Well, then, how about this?" he said
And took off his clothes
Half of his body was made of
Battered iron
"I'm weak, too.
I was thinking of
Striking out on my own from here, but
As it is... I need a companion.
And you'd fit the bill exactly.
Will you come with me?"